Only the relevant Customs authority can advise on applicable Customs charges for a given shipment. Any Customs questions you have regarding your parcel shipment should be directed to them. Click on the following link to locate the appropriate Customs website for the country in question: World Customs Organization

Customs

Be sure to advise them of the nature and value of your shipment, and enquire as to any further documentation that may be required to clear the shipment. We strongly advise attaching their reply to the back of your Customs Invoice (along with your packing manifest) as evidence of your correspondence with them.

No company has control over Customs in any country. Customs account for the greatest proportion of delays and have the authority to delay/stop any shipment. The most common reason is incorrect or incomplete paperwork.

If Customs are unable to contact the intended receiver, the goods will be either held until contact is made, abandoned, destroyed or returned (for which, as mentioned previously, there would be an additional charge).

Obtaining Customs assistance prior to shipping can also prove useful in parts of the world where corruption exists. In such countries, there can be inconsistency in the amount of Customs charges levied on your parcel. The odds of this happening to your parcel could be reduced if a letter from their Head Office, stating what the correct charges are, is included within the documents travelling with your parcel.

Please note that certain countries’ Customs authorities will insist on either our agents or an outside broker being used. The receiver will be responsible for any additional charges for these brokers as well as any duties and taxes that are levied. We will provide advice to help facilitate this but will in no way be responsible for these charges.

Get an instant quote

If you’d like to find the cheapest way to send parcels, use our parcel delivery instant quote system and we’ll get you the best prices from a selection of leading courier companies.

Where next?

• Insuring parcels
• Packing manifests
• parcel delivery